INSTALLATION

Construction of new ‘u’ shaped chambers, approximately 29’9" x 13’0", began at the Church Hall late in 2001. These were built as a stud wall, lined inside and out with 9mm mdf sheets and filled in between with sound absorbing insulation. The chambers are situated to the rear and sides of the stage with the main chamber on the left and the solo on the right. Both are fitted with viewing windows allowing the operation of the tonal percussions to be viewed by the audience. The polished walnut console sits centre stage on a mobile dais and, when not in use, rolls back into a garage between the two chambers, protected by locking doors. Being on stage, the sound of the instrument is certainly heard to advantage by the organist! The toy-counter sits on top of the console garage with its own viewing window and discreet, coloured lighting is used inside the chambers to good effect. The swell shutters are at the extreme left and right hand sides of the chambers and have also been restored to a polished walnut finish. They are in full view of organist and audience alike, their opening and closing being a point of interest. Beneath the stage, a separate room houses the 10HP motor and discus blower. This unit provides a wind pressure of up to 22.5" although the pressures actually used in the organ range from 9" on the vox humana to 16.5" on the basses and toy counter.

Installation of the organ itself started in mid 2002 and has taken approximately eight months. The blower was in position and running by September with most of the units following soon after. The console arrived and was connected in November with the first sounds (noises!) coming from the organ the very same day. The rest of the time was spent sealing-up, curing dead notes (mostly faulty magnets), reducing wind noise and working on the voicing and regulation of the whole organ. There are at present 9 ranks of pipes in place and playing; 5 in the main chamber and 4 in the solo (the clarinet having been prepared for but not yet installed).